Conservatory roof with a soffit system

ABSTRACT

An external soffit system for a conservatory roof which prevents unwelcome insects or birds from forming nests and provides a more aesthetically appealing appearance of the conservatory. The soffit also provides a platform from which lights or speakers may be mounted. The soffit and supporting structure also provide added protection to the conservatory roof structure from the elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/420,293, filed Oct. 22, 2002, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conservatory rooms have typically been formed from metal framesand glass or transparent plastic panels. The roofs were formed from aseries of rafters which supported transparent glass or weather-resistantplastic (e.g., polyvinylchloride) panels between the rafters. The roofend of the rafters and panels often extend beyond the side wallscreating an overhang. Generally, these roofs did not incorporategutters.

[0003] The roof overhangs can provide an inviting nesting location forbirds and insects such as wasps and bees. Once established in therecessed corner of the overhangs, where the under-section of the roofmeets the eaves beam, it can be difficult to eliminate these pests andprevent their return. Moreover, bird droppings and stinging insectsoften pose emotional and physical health concerns to individuals.

[0004] It is also important to make the roof attractive. Generally,plastic trim is used to cover exposed edges of supports and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a soffit system which addressesthe problems associated with an exposed conservatory roof overhang andprovides for a gutter system. Specifically, a soffit is mounted betweenthe eaves beam and the edge of the roof overhang, thus creating a closedspace under the overhang.

[0006] By enclosing the space under the overhang, pests are preventedfrom accessing and nesting in the corner recesses of the overhang.

[0007] The present invention also provides an attractive appearance inthe eaves portion of the roof and provides a gutter system. The addedprotection afforded by the present invention may lengthen the life ofthe conservatory and reduce periodic maintenance costs.

[0008] Finally, the present invention provides the architectural optionof creating a conservatory with a different external appearance andfunctionality. For example, the soffit can be configured to holdexternal lights or speakers, can hide wiring or other conduits, or cancontain vents. The present invention thus contributes both aesthetic aswell as functional value.

[0009] The objects and advantages of the present invention will befurther appreciated in light of the following detailed drawings anddescriptions.

BRI FD D SCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conservatory roof withsupporting posts according to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken of lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a conservatory roof10 having a plurality of rafters 12 which generally attach at an upperend to a ridge beam 14 which, as shown, extends outwardly from a wall ofa house or other building 16. Rafters 12 extend from the ridge beam 14to an eaves beam 22. Between individual rafters 12 are panels 20 whichconstitute the majority of the sloped surface area of the conservatory'sroof 10.

[0014] The eaves beam 22, in turn, is supported by a plurality of postsor mullions 24. The posts or mullions 24 rest upon the ground, floor, orsimilar foundational structure 26.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the posts or mullions 24 contain parallelvertical guide tabs 40 a and 40 b. Nested between guide tabs 40 a and 40b is the lower section 36 of the eaves beam 22. The parallel guide tabs40 a and 40 b are generally centrally located on the posts or mullions24, and are separated from each other by a distance approximating theexterior width of the lower section 36 of the eaves beam 22. These guidetabs 40 a and 40 b prevent horizontal movement of the eaves beam 22 andact as a guide to place and attach the eaves beam 22 on the posts ormullions 24.

[0016] The lower section 36 of the eaves beam 22 includes a first andsecond channel 37, 39. A first part of the guide tabs 40 a and 40 bengages walls 41, 43 of these channels. Exteriorly of the guide tabs 40a and 40 b, a parallel set of tabs 44, 45 extends vertically upward fromthe top wall 42 of the posts or mullions 24. These tabs 44, 45 engagewalls 48, 49 of channels 37, 39, centering the eaves beam 22 on theposts or mullions 24.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, these tabs 44, 45 extend higher thanthe guide tabs 40 a and 40 b and generally to the respective levels ofthe bottom surfaces 46, 47 of the upper section 38 of the eaves beam 22.The tabs 44, 45 can guide and support the positioning, placement, andsecurement of the eaves beam 22 to the posts or mullions 24. The eavesbeam 22 can be secured to the posts or mullions 24 with a screw or othersuitable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, walls 48, 49 alsoinclude trim mounting barbs 50 a, 50 b, 50 c. An interior finishing trimplate 51 containing channel receptacles 54 can be attached to the barbs50 a, 50 b.

[0018] An exterior finishing trim plate or mounting arm 52, containing achannel receptacle 54 and a coupling arm 55, is attached to the eavesbeam 22. The coupling arm 55 of the exterior finishing trim plate 52locks with an opposing coupling arm 57 attached to the eaves beam 22while the channel receptacle 54 snaps onto the barb 50 c, thus securingthe exterior finishing trim plate 52 to the eaves beam 22.

[0019] The eaves beam 22 further contains a sloped C-bracket 56 whichmatches the slope of the roof 10. The C-bracket 56 holds a supportmember 58 which, in the preferred embodiment, is made from plastic. Therafters 12 rest on the support member 58.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, an opposing C-shaped channel 63 is attachedto the C-bracket 56 via parallel sets of opposing coupling appendages70, 72, 74, 76. Coupling appendages 70, 72, attached to C-shaped channel63, snap into coupling appendages 74, 76, attached to C-bracket 56, thussecuring the C-shaped channel 63 to the C-bracket 56. Attached to theuppermost outside surface 65 of the C-shaped channel 63 is a pair ofrubber glazing members 67. Channel 63 runs between adjacent rafters. Thepanels 20 in turn rest on the rubber glazing members 67.

[0021] The top of the eaves beam 22 contains a groove or channel 60which runs the entire length of the eaves beam 22 and is able to collectmoisture that runs down along the rafters 12. The groove or channel 60is apertured to allow accumulated water to flow interiorly downward withthe eaves beam 22 and the posts or mullions 24 to the ground 26 below.

[0022] A plurality of gutter brackets or hangers 30 are attached with ascrew, bolt, or other like fastener to the lower side of the rafters 12.A gutter 28 runs the length of the roof, supported by gutter hangers 30.The ends of the rafters are protected by end caps 34 which are attachedto the rafters 12 by a bolt or screw 35. Drip edges 32 can be mounted tothe panels 20 in such a way as to drain external moisture into thegutter 28.

[0023] The exterior finishing trim plate 52 contains a generallyhorizontal ledge or arm 64 which supports one edge of a soffit 66. Theother edge of the soffit 66 is supported by horizontal tabs 65 whichextend inwardly from gutter hangers 30. The soffit 66 may be attached toeither the exterior finishing trim plate 52 or the gutter brackets 30,or both. In the preferred embodiment, the soffit 66 is made from vinyland can have any desired ornamental appearance.

[0024] When the soffit 66 is in place, the bottom side 68 of the roof's10 overhang is protected. This also provides a location or hollow tohide wires or conduits used for telephone, television, computer,electrical, or other purposes. Alternative embodiments could provide forvents, lights, or speakers in the soffit 66. This has been a descriptionof the present invention and the preferred mode of practicing theinvention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by theclaims, wherein

We claim:
 1. A conservatory roof comprising: an eaves beam supporting a plurality of rafters; a plurality of panels supported by said rafters; a mounting arm attached to said eaves beam; a plurality of brackets attached to said rafters exteriorly of said eaves beam; and a soffit running along the length of said eaves beam, said soffit supported by said mounting arm and said brackets.
 2. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said soffit is attached to said mounting arm.
 3. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said soffit is attached to said brackets.
 4. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said mounting arm comprises an external trim plate with a horizontal ledge.
 5. The conservatory roof of claim 4 wherein said soffit is attached to said horizontal ledge.
 6. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a plurality of horizontal tabs.
 7. The conservatory roof of claim 6 wherein said soffit is attached to said horizontal tabs.
 8. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said brackets are gutter hangers and support a gutter along the length of said eaves beam.
 9. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said soffit protects at least a portion of said rafters and at least a portion of said panels.
 10. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said soffit creates a hollow under at least a portion of said rafters and at least a portion of said panels.
 11. The conservatory roof of claim 1 wherein said soffit is vinyl.
 12. A conservatory roof comprising: an eaves beam supporting a plurality of rafters; a plurality of panels supported by said rafters; a mounting arm attached to said eaves beam, said mounting arm having an external trim plate with a horizontal ledge; a plurality of gutter hangers attached to said rafters exteriorly of said eaves beam, said gutter hangers including horizontal tabs; and a soffit running along the length of said eaves beam, said soffit supported by said horizontal ledge and said horizontal tabs.
 13. The conservatory roof of claim 12 wherein said soffit is attached to said horizontal ledge.
 14. The conservatory roof of claim 12 wherein said soffit is attached to said horizontal tabs.
 15. The conservatory roof of claim 12 wherein said soffit protects at least a portion of said rafters and at least a portion of said panels.
 16. The conservatory roof of claim 12 wherein said soffit creates a hollow under at least a portion of said rafters and at least a portion of said panels.
 17. The conservatory roof of claim 12 wherein said soffit is vinyl.
 18. A conservatory roof system comprising: a generally horizontal eaves beam; a sloped roof, said roof having a plurality of sloped panels and a plurality of sloped rafters supporting said panels, said roof supported by said eaves beam, said roof extending exteriorly of said eaves beam whereby an overhang is created; and a generally horizontal soffit paralleling said eaves beam, said soffit connected to said eaves beam and to said roof whereby said eaves beam, said roof and said soffit form a triangularly shaped hollow under said overhang.
 19. The conservatory roof system of claim 18 further comprising a mounting arm attached to said eaves beam, said mounting arm adapted to support said soffit.
 20. The conservatory roof system of claim 18 further comprising a bracket attached to said roof, said bracket adapted to support said soffit. 